MILWAUKEE — The spin will come from all directions, but no matter how the Nuggets’ trades Thursday are viewed, the most important thing for the team was moving Andre Miller.

The Nuggets did that when they traded the veteran point guard to Washington for 7-foot forward Jan Vesely as part of a three-team deal. Denver also traded a second-round draft pick to Philadelphia. Miller was banned from being with the Nuggets after his outburst directed at first-year Denver coach Brian Shaw during a Jan. 1 game against Philadelphia.

“There’s always going to be issues that pop up,” said Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly. “There’s no villain here. Unfortunately what happened, happened. We have to have the full support of our coach. I think it’s important that everyone understands that is Brian’s locker room. (Miller) was out of character. He’s a pro. I’m sure he’s excited to move on to D.C. and help that team make a playoff push.”

Denver’s second deal on the day of the NBA trade deadline landed point guard Aaron Brooks from Houston in exchange for shooting guard Jordan Hamilton. Getting Brooks filled the Nuggets’ most pressing need. They have played without a point guard for four consecutive games while starter Ty Lawson, who is averaging 18 points and 8.8 assists, recovers from a fractured rib.

Vesely and Brooks are expected to be in uniform for the Nuggets’ game Friday night at Chicago, provided they pass physicals. Brooks waived a no-trade clause to make his trade happen.

“It shows his level of commitment to come play for Brian and the opportunity that exists here,” Connelly said.

There is no future financial impact for the Nuggets, because Vesely and Brooks have expiring contracts. The chance of either one returning next season is slim, but it can’t be ruled out. Vesely, 23, was a lottery pick in 2011. He entered the league with a reputation of being an athletic, if raw, big man. A fresh start might do him some good after averaging just 3.5 points and 3.4 rebounds with the Wizards.

“It’s not often you get a chance to get a 30-game look at the sixth pick in the draft from a couple years ago,” Connelly said. “His versatility kind of fits the mold of player that we’re attracted to. Hopefully he comes here, it’s a fresh slate and we’ll see what he can do.”

Brooks gives the Nuggets insurance at point guard for the remainder of the season.

“We started with three point guards and then injuries and the Andre situation left us short-staffed, and it’s unfair to the coaching staff and our players,” Connelly said. “Some of the guys were playing out of position because of no options there. I think Aaron has proven to be a very good NBA player. He’s got a long track record of production.”

Destination: Denver

A 6-0, 161-pound point guard, he is in his sixth NBA season. The former Oregon star had to agreed to the trade. He did so because of the available playing time in Denver. His contract expires at the end of the season, and he needs a place to showcase his skills to secure interest from organizations around the league to get another contract. He’s 11.7 points per game in his career.

JAN VESELY

A 7-0, 242-pound power forward, Vesely was the sixth pick in the 2011 NBA draft out of the Czech Republic. He’s struggled throughout his career and seems to have lost his passion for basketball. In Denver, he’ll get a clean slate to start over and prove he belongs in the NBA and reestablish the things that originally made him a coveted commodity, his athleticism and unselfishness. He is in the last year of his rookie-scale contract.

Other key NBA trades before Thursday’s deadline

• The Pacers pulled off a bold move, sending Danny Granger and a second-round draft pick in 2014 to Philadelphia in exchange for former first-round pick Evan Turner and forward-center Lavoy Allen. Indy gets two more young forwards to join the recently added Andrew Bynum.

• The Cavaliers acquired center Spencer Hawes from the 76ers for forward Earl Clark, center Henry Sims and two second-round draft picks. The 7-foot-1 Hawes is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds, both career highs, and shoots 40 percent from 3-point range.

• The Hawks acquired 37-year-old forward Antawn Jamison from the Clippers, with Los Angeles receiving the rights to shooting guard Cenk Akyol, a 2005 second-round pick now playing in Turkey.

• The Bobcats acquired guards Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal from the Bucks in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien.

Up next

DENVER AT CHICAGO6 p.m. Friday, ALT, ESPN; 104.3 FM, 950 AM

Spotlight on D.J. Augustin: For a while, injuries at point guard — most notably to star Derrick Rose — plunged the Bulls into a similar need at the position to what the Nuggets recently experienced. The Bulls filled their need by acquiring Augustin in an early-season trade with the Toronto Raptors. In 33 games with Chicago, the sixth-year player out of the University of Texas is averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals.

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.

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